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boiler explosion in Baltimore...breaking story

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SlowYourRoll
SlowYourRoll Member Posts: 187
in THE MAIN WALL
Hey all, I'm still very new to the board. Don't know if people post news stories in general or just heating questions, but anyway this just happened a few miles from me and I thought it might be of interest for others.

Reading the Holohan books has increased my understanding of just how much a problem boiler explosions used to be over a century ago. Looks like currently it's 10 people injured in this explosion but no fatalities reported. Luckily the office building was mostly vacant due to COVID, or this could have been a much bigger tragedy.

https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2020/12/23/multiple-people-injured-baltimore-bge-building-rescue-latest/

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  • SlowYourRoll
    SlowYourRoll Member Posts: 187
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    also it looks like it was just a weird coincidence that it was the Baltimore Gas & Electric office building. there will probably be more details on exactly what happened, but the press release says it was an explosion in the boiler and air handling system.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
    edited December 2020
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    Something doesn't add up here. The explosion was on the 16th floor, an odd place for a boiler. Also, that building is likely fed by the downtown district steam system.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • MaxMercy
    MaxMercy Member Posts: 508
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    I think it's a reporting issue. Here's a badly constructed sentence:

    Construction work was occurring on the building’s air handling and boiler system, which likely caused the incident.


    Does that mean the air handler or boiler caused the explosion, or the construction work being done??
    Tinman
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,626
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    On tall buildings, a lot of the major air handlers are in the middle floor(s). There's one downtown here that has 100% louvers all the way around the middle two floors.
  • RyanD
    RyanD Member Posts: 20
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    Steamhead said:
    Something doesn't add up here. The explosion was on the 16th floor, an odd place for a boiler. Also, that building is likely fed by the downtown district steam system.
    Is a it a newer or recently renovated building? The building I work in has boilers and emergency generators on the penthouse level as do the rest of the buildings our development. It seems to be what everyone is doing after the big storms like Sandy. 
  • SlowYourRoll
    SlowYourRoll Member Posts: 187
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    Steamhead said:

    Something doesn't add up here. The explosion was on the 16th floor, an odd place for a boiler. Also, that building is likely fed by the downtown district steam system.

    That's a good point. I'll be sure to post a follow-up when I see something.
  • SlamDunk
    SlamDunk Member Posts: 1,580
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    Could be a steam fed coil in air handler. There may be pressure reducing stations nearby. Steam traps?. LOTO mistake?
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 4,847
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    ratio said:
    On tall buildings, a lot of the major air handlers are in the middle floor(s). There's one downtown here that has 100% louvers all the way around the middle two floors.
    Care to bet that’s the “13Th” floor?
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,525
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    Gee. They sure were quick to report that it was "not gas related"
    that means it probably was 'gas related" LOL.
    mattmia2SlowYourRollMaxMercy
  • unclejohn
    unclejohn Member Posts: 1,833
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    Zero detail about the cause. But then again air handles explode all the time.
    Ironman
  • SlamDunk
    SlamDunk Member Posts: 1,580
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    unclejohn said:

    Zero detail about the cause. But then again air handles explode all the time.

    It occurred on Christmas Eve,Eve. Not much investigating will happen.

    Ever notice that during major holidays, when most reporters are off, the world is less scary? Maybe it is just me.
    ratio
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 5,702
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    So the reporters caused the explosion?
    NJ Steam Homeowner. See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el
  • SlamDunk
    SlamDunk Member Posts: 1,580
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    ethicalpaul said:

    So the reporters caused the explosion?

    No. They are with their families , not reporting on the explosion.
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 5,702
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    Yeah. The world is as it is regardless of the reporters I guess.
    NJ Steam Homeowner. See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el
  • motoguy128
    motoguy128 Member Posts: 393
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    His point is that you will tend to get more simple facts, rather than sensationalist headlines and information. Reporters are about 50% journalists and 50% entertainers. Have been since customers have been paying to read, hear or watch news.

    Even if they did just report basic facts, the sources may have an incentive to skew the truth. Those that caused the accident might not want to admit the truth as it might make them negligent. So we have to wait for an independent report from a investigative authority. But even then, it could still have some political influence to an extent. Although NTSB, FAA and similar bodies I think tend to just report facts.
    SlamDunk
  • SlowYourRoll
    SlowYourRoll Member Posts: 187
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    SlamDunk said:

    ethicalpaul said:

    So the reporters caused the explosion?

    No. They are with their families , not reporting on the explosion.
    I live in Baltimore. I can assure you that our local reporters are diligently reporting on this case. If you don't believe me, the local news stations are WBAL, WMAR, WBFF, and the local paper is The Baltimore Sun. just google any of those and you can see for yourself.
    ethicalpaul
  • SlowYourRoll
    SlowYourRoll Member Posts: 187
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    i forgot WJZ. that's the other local news station.
  • unclejohn
    unclejohn Member Posts: 1,833
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    It happen on Christmas eve eve.

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